SNL Highlight: Girls Promo

 If you didn't catch the SNL Girls sketch, it's worth the next 3 minutes of your life. Hilarious!

Sparkling Black & Gold

Dior -limited edition- Sparkling Nail Powder collection features a special adhesive base coat and two radiant sparkling powers in gold and black. Your nails will be tres chic from brunch to happy hour.

Exclusive to Nordstrom.

Time-Lapse of the new WTC Tower

                                                    Early into my transition to New Yorker, I had a poignant moment peering outside of a recruiter's window to see clean-up of Ground Zero. Over the years I've watched the the foundation settled of the new WTC and the building start to inch towards the sky, eventurally being announced as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. How amazing is this time lapse video?

Sweater season is very nearly upon us! J.Crew wins me over each year with their clever and versatile designs. I'm currently eyeing the camel. Wishlisted!


Image- Outblush.

Heisenberg Cuff Links

Look no further. I've found the perfect gift for your husband, brother or father that will show his colleagues that he's in the Empire Business. Designed by Portland, ME shop Sleepy Mountain, you can purchase a pair at etsy.

Alice + Olivia Tiger Bangle

Keep it fierce in your meetings with this tiger-peppered cuff from Alice + Olivia. Purchase online.

Birchbox Local (+ a Promo Code for YOU!)

I snagged an invite to the first Birchbloggers event at the new Birchbox Local in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood a few weeks ago. The candy striped (and filled!) shop features beauty services, full-size products for sale and a build-your-own Birchbox station!

As the prosecco flowed, I chatted up a few fellow Birchbloggers and had the pleasure of meeting Co-Founder Katia Beauchamp and the clever ladies behind Birchbox social media.

The beauty service areas lend a feeling of pre-red carpet with bulb lighting the knowledgeable professionals.

(Eh em...can we discuss these stems on Katia and Lucky Magazine's Jean Godfrey June?)

The subterranean area of Birchbox local hosts bright displays of Birchbox favorites (think Whish Body, the yummiest scented natural products I've sampled and come to integrate into my daily regime).

If you  had an array of candy dispensers filled with beauty and trends to choose from, what would you select? I had my upcoming trip to Paris in mind when choosing:

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo Perfect for perking-up and freshening hair after  long- haul flights. Full Size-$25.

Color Club Apollo Star A shimmery, matches everything shade tiny enough to throw in your carry-on. Seriously ladies- Color Club makes bright and long lasting colors. A must. Full Size- $8.

Malin + Goetz  vitamin b5 body moisturizer For the those that religiously moisturize as I do, Malin + Goetz is an ingenue in my vanity- packed with a dream team of botanical extracts, fatty acids and vitamins. Full Size- $38.

Origins Modern Friction Nature's gentle dermabrasion Let's face it: the dry climate on airplanes can take a toll on skin and cause breakouts. Origins Modern Friction gently removes dry skin and impurities with rice starch. Full Size- $39.50.

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara Not to brag, but I am blessed with long, full and dark lashes. My one concern is clumping. Marcelle delivers amazing structuring devoid of clumps to further accent your batting lashes. Full Size- $13.

Bonus! A rep from Pilot Pen was also in attendance handing out pretty erasable stylos perfect for jotting done notes on cool finds and to-dos. To boot, Birchbloggers were given a pretty BB and Cynthia Rowley tote, which has become my go-to for carting shoes, bottled water, etc to the office.

As a thank you for attending the event, Birchbox is offering a 15% promo BIRCHBLOGGER15 to attendees and their blog audiences! What will you treat yourself to? 

I couldn't resist theBalm Instain, the L. Erickson Italian Headband in black and the rumbaTime Orchard watch in Rose Gold/Lights.


Not a Birchbox subscriber yet? Fret not, sign-up here to partake in a monthly box of hot beauty and lifestyle products.

Super Mario Brothers Bedroom

Nintendo was a big love in my brother's 1980's childhood. By default, I clocked my fair share of hours playing along side him. He would have totally loved this awesome Super Mario Brothers bedroom (He had Super Mario Brothers sheets on the top and bottom of his bunk bed!). 

Cool Dad Dustin Carpenter of Green Bay, WI designed and painted the bedroom for his 13 year-old daughter, AJ.  Read more at ABC News.

Images: Dustin Carpenter.

Dark Chocolate & Caramel Covered Matzo

With the Jewish holidays in full swing, my office has been a bit of a ghost town. I always love this time of year for the cuisine alone! Ten plagues Passover Seder? Bring it.

Albeit not Kosher, FreshDirect features the best matzo you will ever have! The crisp bread is covered in decadent buttery caramel and rich dark chocolate drizzle with a slightly salty balance. I ordered one box for for home and one to share with my colleagues!

Modern Streets, Old Crimes

Photographer and historian for the New York Press Photographers Association Marc Hermann created a series of photos photos which mash-up  current photos with New York Daily News crime scene images. Albeit morbid in some instances, these are pretty dang clever.

(Above) Resident Enda Egbert on her window ledge in conflict with policemen as they try to get her to climb back in. Brooklyn, 1942.

(Above) Firefighters at the Elkins Paper & Twine Co attempting to contain a fire which took the lives of six. Manhattan, 1958.

(Above) The scene of a stolen car which crashed into a light pole. Brooklyn, 1957.

Read more and view more images at Curbed. A handful are graphic in nature. View more of Marc Hermann's work at his website.

Etta Studded-Heel Pumps

Are you charming, yet firm? Feminine with a slight edge? I've found a pair of shoes for you. The Etta  pumps hail from J.Crew and feature a sturdy heels with those 15-hour days.  I've added these to wishlist in the back of my mind with a gold star next to the notation!

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

Beauty dot com kicked me back a deluxe sample of Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream a few weeks ago. The scent speaks to the natural cosmetic cocktail- a bit earthy, but sweet. The cream is little miracle worker for my sensitive skin with gentle and natural nutrients to nourish skin.

I've been gingerly applying to the sensitive areas around my brows as a result of bi-weekly threading sessions. The light coverage dilutes the pink and heals the dryness. Genius.


Image: Beauty dot com.

Julep: September Loves

Julep's September offerings laced me with anticipation! I've been keen to switch-up my facial cleansing ritual to more gentle formulas sourcing natural skin nourishing ingredients. I swapped out my usual Boho Glam profile for the Modern Beauty which included the Bare Face cleansing oil and Blank Canvas mattifying face primer. To boot, I selected the Konjac sponge as an add-on. My box arrived yesterday and I immediately headed to the bathroom to try Bare Face.

Bare Face:
The Rosehip seed enhanced cleansing oil  is not only gentle and effective in removing make-up and dirt, but left my sensitive skin supple and glowy.

Konjac sponge:
The sponge compliments the cleansing oil well, exfoliating with tenderness. A small and  strong suction cup hook is included to aid in drying and keeping the sponge clean after washing.

Blank Canvas:
I applied my usual serum and moisturizing regime, then Blank Canvas. The primer proved to be excellent in keeping powder in place.

I'm hooked on all products and tempted to stock-up in the (sad) event that Julep only keeps them in stock for a few seasons.

Watch the demo video at Julep Beauty Buzz.

Purchase at Julep.

Image credit: Julep.com